A LOOK AT THE NFL'S FREE AGENTS

No. 1 issue: Does Drew Bledsoe have anything left? Buffalo didn't think so, but the Cowboys did and signed Bledsoe, 33, to a three-year contract last week.

Analysis: Dallas has nearly $20 million in cap space and two first- round draft picks. The Cowboys need help in a lot of areas, starting with the defense, which struggled against solid teams in 2004. Possible targets are Baltimore CB Gary Baxter, Jets RT Kareem McKenzie, and possibly Redskins WR Laveranues Coles.

No. 1 issue: Can the Giants get Tiki and Shockey any help? RB Tiki Barber had his best season in 2004, but the Giants need a receiver to compliment Amani Toomer and TE Jeremy Shockey.

Analysis: When QB Kurt Warner voids the final two years of his deal, the Giants will have an additional $5 million to spend on free agents. They have only four draft picks, so look for them to be active in free agency.

No. 1 issue: How much will Trotter cost? Three years ago, he took the Redskins' money and left the Eagles. He returned in 2004 to play for $535,000. It will be interesting to see how the two sides get along this time.

Analysis: The Eagles made DT Corey Simon their franchise player for $5.13 million, so Philly has about $8 million to spend on free agents, which basically negates the chance for any big-time additions. Philly needs a running back who can get the tough, inside yards. Also, if the Eagles cut ties with WR Freddie Mitchell, former Baltimore WR Kevin Johnson could be a fit.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

2004 record: 6-10

Key free agents: MLB Antonio Pierce, CB Fred Smoot, DT Joe Salave'a.

Needs: WR, DE, C, OL.

No. 1 issue: Who's going to catch the passes? Rod Gardner won't be back and Laveranues Coles is hoping to be traded or released. The Redskins are fools if they think they can count on James Thrash and Taylor Jacobs next year.

Analysis: The Redskins had the No. 3 defense in the league last year, thanks in large part to Pierce and Smoot. Both could be on their way out. On offense, the Redskins have to address the receiver position in free agency because rookie wideouts are often unproductive in their first year. The Redskins are about $5 million under the cap.

No. 1 issue: Is Rex Grossman the answer? Grossman missed almost all of last season with a knee injury and will be working in a new offense in 2005. The Bears are likely to sign Kurt Warner to be the backup.

Analysis: The Bears might not sign one of their four unrestricted free agents. Chicago has nearly $10 million to spend during free agency. The Bears added six starters last year (only one was an unrestricted free agent), so expect them to be a player in trades.

No. 1 issue: Will the Lions sign a QB to challenge Joey Harrington? Coach Steve Mariucci contends Harrington is still his guy, but Detroit may take a run at Jeff Garcia to give the Lions an option if Harrington struggles.

Analysis: The Lions are $23 million under the cap but have only 33 players under contract. Detroit wants to solidify its offensive line and strong safety. At receiver, the Lions want to add an experienced player to go with Charles Rogers and Roy Williams.

GREEN BAY PACKERS

2004 record: 10-6

Key free agents: G Marco Rivera, LB Hannibal Navies.

Needs: OL, S, LB, CB.

No. 1 issue: Will the defense finally get better? New coordinator Jim Bates has to improve the Packers' tackling and play in the secondary. Green Bay was 25th defensively last year.

Analysis: The Packers have very little to spend on free agents. G Mike Wahle has an $11 million cap number in 2005, so he will probably be released. The Packers also have to make a decision on veteran SS Darren Sharper, who has an $8.6 million cap number. Last week, Green Bay kept TE Bubba Franks with the transition player tag.

No. 1 issue: Did the Vikings get robbed in the apparent Randy Moss trade? Sort of. Trading Moss to Oakland for LB Napoleon Harris and first- and seventh-round picks shows how much the Vikings wanted to get rid of No. 84.

Analysis: The Vikings are $31 million under the cap and they absolutely want to sign a starting safety, a linebacker (although Harris fills that need) and a receiver. Even without Moss, the Vikings' offense is lethal, but the defense ranked 28th. The Vikings' plan is similar to last year: Sign and draft for defense.

No. 1 issue: Will the Falcons rest easy? Dallas did so after a surprising playoff appearance and fell back to 6-10. Atlanta reached the NFC title game last season, but don't expect GM Rich McKay to stand pat.

Analysis: The Falcons' first order is to re-sign CBs Aaron Beasley and Kevin Mathis to go with DeAngelo Hall in the secondary. Atlanta doesn't have a lot of cap space because of signing bonuses handed out several years ago, but a playmaking WR, speed at the linebacker spot and depth at safety are musts. WR Peerless Price could be released after June 1.

No. 1 issue: Why did the Panthers release Muhsin Muhammad? The receiver would have counted $12.5 million against the cap in 2005, and Carolina didn't want to give a 31-year-old receiver a long-term contract. He signed with the Bears on Sunday.

Analysis: The Panthers have never been major players in free agency, electing to fill holes with affordable players. The Panthers want to upgrade at right tackle and right guard and add depth to the running back and defensive tackle positions.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

2004 record: 8-8

Key free agents: S Jay Bellamy, RT Victor Riley, CB Jason Craft.

Needs: RT, CB, DL, FS.

No. 1 issue: The Saints' D can't be that bad again, right? New Orleans was last in yards allowed in 2004. Defense is where New Orleans should look to upgrade, and the Saints started by labeling DE Darren Howard as their franchise player.

Analysis: The Saints were an enigma last year -- great one week, horrible the next. It appears QB Aaron Brooks will remain in New Orleans for another season, but he will be working with a new offensive coordinator because Mike McCarthy went to San Francisco. The Saints want to sign a new right tackle and free safety, and might also try to lock up RB Deuce McAllister with a long-term contract.

No. 1 issue: Who plays quarterback? Johnson will be released, and Jon Gruden's preference is to start Brian Griese. But if a contract can't be worked out, the Bucs will turn to Chris Simms.

Analysis: Three years ago, the Bucs won the Super Bowl. But after consecutive no-playoff seasons, the heat is on Gruden, who makes most of the personnel decisions. Last year, Tampa Bay was old, rich and not very good. It's time for the Bucs get younger and cheaper.

No. 1 issue: Does anybody want to play in Arizona? Not until the Cardinals start winning. They have always had trouble attracting free agents, but they hit last year with Pro Bowl DE Bertrand Berry.

Analysis: Of the Cardinals' unrestricted free agents, the only priority players are Wilson and Hill. Their biggest task this offseason is extending the contract of WR Anquan Boldin, who has two years remaining on his first contract. At running back, Emmitt Smith retired and Troy Hambrick is not a marquee back.

No. 1 issue: What will the 49ers do with the first pick? The guess here is they go quarterback and take Cal's Aaron Rodgers.

Analysis: Under new coach Mike Nolan, the 49ers need help at nearly every position, so expect them to make a lot of moves. San Francisco is in major rebuilding mode and has nearly $20 million to spend.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

2004 record: 9-7

Key free agents: DE Chike Okeafor, RT Floyd Womack, CB Ken Lucas.

Needs: LB, DL.

No. 1 issue: Can Seattle make its defense better? The Seahawks were 26th in yards allowed last year, and a big chunk of their money has gone to the offensive side. They need major improvements in the front seven.

Analysis: The Seahawks have already secured their top three free agents -- OT Walter Jones, RB Shaun Alexander and QB Matt Hasselbeck. They still have 12 free agents to sign.